By CASEY NEILL
FLEXICUT Engineering director Robbie O’Brien founded the Dandenong company in 2006 at age 26.
He started his career as an apprentice fitter and turner with Larry Perkins Motor Sport, where he was introduced to a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.
“He regularly worked back to 10pm simply to get the job done and continue his learning and development,” awards chairman James Sturgess said.
Mr O’Brien worked with a leading CNC machine sales organisation when he finished his apprenticeship.
He soon borrowed $30,000, bought a second-hand machine, leased a small factory and worked on it after hours.
Larry Perkins Motor Sport was his first customer and word of mouth helped the business grow.
“When Larry Perkins employees moved to new teams they invariably took FlexiCut with them,” Mr Sturgess said.
Mr O’Brien planned to establish his business in Dandenong and then move it to his small home town.
“But Dandenong’s been too good to me. Everything’s right on my doorstep,” he said.
“The phone’s always ringing with people who want to help you out.”
Today, FlexiCut can not only machine but weld, fabricate, grind and engage in prototyping and reverse engineering.
The business’ turnover has grown from nothing to more than $1 million in just over six years, and Mr O’Brien expects the growth to continue.
FlexiCut Engineering is committed to offering same-day quotes wherever possible, so have often started a job before their competitors have offered a price.
And FlexiCut often stamps a customer’s logo or name in their part free of charge.
“We’re selling a service, the experience,” Mr O’Brien said.
“We want repeat business from our customers.”
NOMINEE – Innovation, Manufacturing, Small Business, Service Excellence and Premier Regional Business.
